The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has given the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) seven days to prosecute persons arrested over reported incidents of electoral and political violence ahead of the 2027 general elections or face legal action.
SERAP made the demand in a letter dated November 14, 2026, and addressed to INEC Chairman, Professor Joash Amupitan, urging the commission to obtain relevant case files and investigation materials from the Nigeria Police Force and prosecute suspects where sufficient evidence exists.
The organisation also asked INEC to direct its legal officers or appointed legal practitioners to review the files and promptly initiate prosecutions under the Electoral Act 2026.
The demand follows several reported incidents of political violence across the country since campaigns for the 2027 elections began on 19 August, including the latest attack on members and supporters of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) during a town hall meeting in Oregun, Lagos, on 12 November.
In the letter signed by its Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, SERAP urged Amupitan to press the police to conclude investigations into other reported attacks, arrest suspected perpetrators and their sponsors, and forward relevant evidence to INEC.
It also called on the commission to exercise its powers under Section 83 of the Electoral Act 2026 to demand explanations from political parties suspected of involvement in or encouraging prohibited conduct and impose prescribed fines on those that fail to comply with lawful directives.
SERAP expressed concern over reports of attacks on political convoys, party secretariats, rallies and meetings, as well as intimidation of candidates and supporters.
Cited incidents included the reported obstruction of the convoy of NDC presidential candidate Peter Obi in Benue State on 8 September; attacks on political meetings in Enugu State on 12 September; and the attack on the convoy of ADC senatorial candidate Herberta Okonofua in Edo State on 6 October.
Others included attacks on supporters of Accord governorship candidate Oriyomi Hamzat in Ibadan on 14 October, which reportedly resulted in one death, and the attack on the convoy of NDC candidate Rollins Offia-Nwali in Ebonyi State on 22 October, which allegedly left one person dead and three injured.
The organisation also cited the reported attack on African Action Congress (AAC) presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore and his team in Ado-Ekiti on 30 October, the attack on Obi’s convoy in Calabar on 4 November, and an NDC procession in Asaba on 7 November, which reportedly left one person dead and five injured.
It added that journalist Samuel Adebanjo was assaulted and his equipment seized while covering the November 12 incident in Lagos.
SERAP warned that failure to prosecute suspects could encourage further violence, deepen impunity and discourage opposition parties, candidates, journalists and citizens from participating freely in political activities.
“Arrests alone are insufficient to secure accountability or deter further violations. Suspected perpetrators must be investigated and, where the evidence supports prosecution, brought before competent courts,” the organisation said.
It cited Sections 96, 97 and 120 of the Electoral Act 2026, which prohibit various forms of political violence, intimidation and disorderly conduct at political meetings.
SERAP also referenced Section 148(2), which provides that prosecutions under the Act shall be undertaken by INEC’s legal officers or legal practitioners appointed by the commission.
“The prosecution of electoral offences is essential not only to punish individual offenders but also to deter future violations and prevent the normalisation of electoral and political violence in the country,” it said.
The organisation warned it would take appropriate legal action to compel INEC to discharge its statutory responsibilities if the commission failed to act within seven days of receiving or publishing the letter.
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